Apparatus for taking submarine motion-pictures.



H. HARTMAN.

APPARATUS FOR TAKING SUBMARINE MOTION PICTURES. APPUCATION FILED NOV. 6.1915.]

1,250,582. Patented Dec. 18,1917.

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. attouwql H. HARTMAN.

APPARATUS FOR TAKING SUBMARINE MOTION PICTURES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.6. 1915.

1,250,582. Patented Dec. 18,1917;

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NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SUBMARINE EXPLORATION CO.

- INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPABA TUS FOR TAKING SUBMARINE MOTION-PICTURES.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known t at I, HANS HAR'IMAN, a. citizen of Austria-Hun ary,residing at New ew York and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Apparatus for Taking Submarine MotionPictures, of which the following as a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for taking submarine photographsand has for its main object, the rovision of an automatic photographicevice for taking submarine pictures or a series of photographs at anydesired depth of water.

More specifically, the invention is constructed with-a view to providinga novel,

efficient and more desirable type of apparatus of this nature; one inwhich the photographs are taken always at the desired illuminated areasince the camera is mounted at an angle to the line of projection oflight;

a construction wherein the means for taking the photographs may bemounted and adjusted at any preferred angle, and a construction havineflicient stabilizing means in the nature 0 a gyroscope,

With the above and additional objects, such as will hereinafter appear,in view, the

' invention has been embodied in one preview through the commutator andassociated parts to impart rotary motion to the picture-taking means;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower part of theapparatus, particularly showing the buffer, the gyroscope and pivotalconnection of the struc- Y ture mounting said parts to the frame Fig. 5is a detail end view of the winding means of the searchlight-adjustinmeans; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connection of theparts.

Referring specifically to the drawings,

wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding partsin the different figures, the device is suspended from a strong cable 1through which pass and in which are embedded, insulated conductorSpecification of Letters Patent.

" Application filed November 6, 1915. Serial in. 59,948.

wires 2 (see Fig. 3). A casing is provided of which 3 is a container and4 a top removably secured to the container by means 7 the motor 6 andthe picture taking means -(later to be described) for rotationindependently of casing 3-4.

The conductors 2 lead to the interjor of container 3 and are fastened tosuitable binders 11 insulated at 12 from the container. From the bindingconductors 11, extend brushes 13 which wipe the periphery of conductingrings 14 which turn with a shaft 15 of motor 6. Conductor wires 16embedded longitudinally of shaft 15 contact with the rings 14 and serveto feed the electric current from'the rings 14 to other elements of theapparatus.

It may be mentioned that the apparatus is waterproof at the connectionof elements 3 and 4 and insulated'from the water by an insulating sheet17 and by means of an in.- sulating annulus 18, shaft 7 and bearing 8are insulated from and rendered waterproof at their junction withcontainer 3 at flange 9.

Suspended from the motor 6 and so as to rotate therewith, is a frame 19to which a powerful electrically illuminated searchlight 20, of aWaterproof construction, is

pivoted by trunnions at 21. Fastened to the top of the searchlight 20 isa photographic camera 22 which is continuously driven by an electricmotor 23 after the apparatus has been lowered into the water and thecurrent supplied. By reason of the fact that the camera is disposed atan angle to the line of the rays of light or the horizontal center ofthe. Searchlight, the pictures will.

always be taken through the illuminated areaat the best illuminatedlocation.

Mounted in a suitable bracket 24. fastened to the rear of theSearchlight 20, is a turnable drum 25 about which may be wound oneterminal end of a flexible wire or cord 26, the other terminal end ofwhich is fastened to a lug 27 secured to the exterior of motor 6. Thedrum is turned by means of a handle 28 fastened to the shaft 29 of thedrum. On shaft 29 a ratchet wheel 30 is fixed which is engaged by apivoted pawl 31 urged by a leaf spring 32. Through the turning of handle28 and of the drum, the element 26 is wound about the drum or paid outand as a result, the lamp 20 and camera are shifted as an integer toadesired angle.'

Since the pawl 31 automatically snaps into engagement with ratchet wheel30, the drum -is revented from displacement out of an adjusted position.

At the lowermost point of frame 19, a suitable socket33 is secured whichmounts a ball-.34 in order to pivotally connect a gyroscope casing fromthe frame. This frame comprises a cover 35 with which the ball 34 isformed integrally and a container 36 removably secured to the cover 35by means of bolts 37. An insulating and waterproofing packing ring 38 isprovided at. the junction of the top cover 35 and container 36. Withinthe casing 3536, a suitable stabiliz- 1n sc pic device now to bedescribed. The feed wires connect to conducting binding posts 39,preferably insulated from the cover 35 at 40. Brushes 41 conduct thecurrent to a commutator 42 with which is associated an armature 43 andelectro-magnets .44. This construction is, 'in efiect, an electric motorwhichiotates a shaft 45 with which turns, a large stabilizing fly-wheel46. Fly- 5 wheel 46 is provided with a bearing 47 exv tending into arecess of container 36 and turning on balls 48 in order te reducefriction between the parts. 7

Suitable means is employed to minimize the danger of injury to theapparatus upon the same striking an obstacle. To this end,

I may form a tube 49 of any suitablelength,

integral with'the container 36 and to depend therefrom. Slidablevertically within the tube 49, is a buffer 50. A compression spring 51isdisclosed within thesaid tube and so as to normally maintain thebuffer projected.

In Fig. 4, the buffer is but'partly projected which is the position itwould. assume upon receiving a moderate shock. Grooves 52 may beprovided in buffer 50 to receive the inner ends of guide and mountingpins 53.

By reference to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the current is fed fromany suitable source by the wires 2 to the commutator of motor 6.Oonductors2 are then continued,

. having branch wires 54 to energize motor 6; branch wires 55 toenergize the motor 23 of camera 22; branch wires56 associated with gothe Searchlight 20, and the wires having their terminals connected tothe gyroscope motor at 39.

In operation, the device is lowered to any desired depth into the waterfrom a ves- 5 sel or other supporting means, suspended means'is mounted,preferably the gyro through the medium of the strong cable At thepreferred time, after lowering of the;

apparatus, the electric circuit is .closed whereupon the current willflow through operate the gyroscope and especially the.

stabilizing fly-wheel 46. It will be realized parts of the apparatussufliciently stable for effective photographing purposes. It may.

with the parts from motor 6 and therefore a .1 5. that the stabilizer 46will keepthe turning of vanes 57 are preferably fastened to thecontainer 3 so as to retard turning movement of the cable and casing 34.'Shocks are absorbed by the bufier 50should the ap a-. ratus encounteran obstruction e lowering action. a

It is to be understood that changes in the details of construction maybe resorted to- I provided they fall within the spirit and .scope of theappended claims.

I claim: r

.1. In a. device of the class described the I combination of a frame, anelectric light projector pivotally mounted within; said frame,.means toadjust said light rojector to different angles independently o the ver-.

tical position of the frame and the. photographic means mounted uponsaid light projector, and disposed at an angle to the v I In a device ofthe class described, the

. same.

2. combination of a frame, a light projector pivotally mounted withinthe frame, means to adjust said light projector to different .angleswithin the frame, photographic means mounted upon said light projectorand disposed at an angle. to the same and means to turn said frame onits vertical axis.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, alight projector pivotally: mounted within said frame, means to adjustthe light projector to differentv angles within the frame, photographicmeans mounted upon said light projector and disposed at an angle tosame, means to turn said frame on a vertical axis and resistance meansto prevent the cable on which the device is suspended from following theframe in turning movement.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a suspendedframe, a light projector pivotally mounted within said frame, means toadjust the li ht projector to different angles within the rame,photographic means disposed at an angle .tothe light projector, means toturn the frame on its vertical axis and shock absorbing means gttachedto and adjacent to the base of the evlce.

5. In a submarine camera of the class.de-.. 1eo,

imam P Q scribed, the combination of a suspended most part of thecasing, a buffer slidable 19 frame, a light projector pivotally mounted'withinsaid tube, and cushioning means for within said frame, means toadjust the li ht said buffer within the tube. projector to difierentangles, hotograp ic Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature meansdisposed at an angle to t e light proin presence oftwo witnesses.

jector, a water tight casing supported from HANS HARTMAN.. the frame, agyroscope device within said 7 Witnesses:

casing operable to stabilize the frame in ELLEN FAGGETTER,

the water, a depending tube at the lower- FRANK DRAYTON.

copies of this potent may be obtained for five cent: each, by addressingthe "commissioner of 2mm,

. Washington, D. 03" J

